FORTY SIX PEOPLE wanted in Ireland were extradited to face questioning under the European Arrest Warrant scheme last year.

A new report released today showed how Ireland issued 84 different warrants which resulted in 46 people being sent back.

The people who the warrants were issued for were wanted for questioning in relation to crimes including murder and drug trafficking.

TheJournal.ie understands that at least three of the issued warrants were issued in relation to the ongoing Kinahan/Hutch feud.

The latest figure means that 425 people in total have been returned to Ireland since the scheme was set up in 2004.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said he was happy with the number of people returned to Ireland.

“The European Arrest Warrant is a valuable mechanism that helps ensure that criminals can be apprehended, keeping EU citizens safer as a result.

“Ireland issued 84 European Arrest Warrants during 2016. These related to some of the most serious offences possible including murder, sexual offences, drugs offences, assault and robbery.”

“As well as helping to bring justice to the victims of crime, these figures send a clear message to criminals that our EU colleagues stand ready to return them if they attempt to flee the country.”

Ireland also received 178 warrants from other member states in 2016. Among the principal offences involved were murder/grievous bodily harm, rape, sexual abuse of children, drugs offences and human trafficking. The Minister added that during 2016, 82 warrants received by Ireland resulted in the surrender of 76 individuals to other member states.

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